PM URGED TO THINK AGAIN ON SMEAR INQUIRY.

PM URGED TO THINK AGAIN ON SMEAR INQUIRY.

ANSWERS NEEDED ON DOWNING STREET CULTURE AND CONDUCT

Gordon Brown has been urged to hold an inquiry into the Downing Street smear scandal amid mounting questions over the culture in Downing Street and conduct of Ministers and officials.

Last week Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O’Donnell ruled out an inquiry, however, as the scandal continues to unfold, SNP Shadow Scotland Office spokesperson, Angus MacNeil MP, said:

“Last week Gus O’Donnell ruled out an inquiry, but as this row goes on, it is clear that Gordon Brown must think again.

“The stink surrounding Gordon Brown will not go away until we have all the answers about who knew what and when.
“Painting this as a mere distraction is just not credible - the reality is that Labour are utterly engulfed in this mess.

"The machinations of the Brown Government and Labour's upper echelons have
returned Westminster politics to the sleaze and scandal of the dark days of the Tories.

"In a time of economic difficulty Labour and the UK Government should be concentrating on working for economic recovery, not Westminster infighting
and political game playing.

"The SNP has what it takes to deliver a strong package to help Scotland out of recession, it seems all Labour can deliver is more spin and smear."